Earth scooping structure



Jan. 3, 1939. H. K; RlcHwlNE EARTH SCOOPING STRUCTURE Original Filed June 23, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l `Fam. 3, 1939. H. K. RicHwlNE l 2,142,919

EARTH SCOOPING STRUCTURE original Filed June 2s, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original application June 23, 1937, Serial No. 149,969. Divided and this application June `23,

1937, Serial No. 149,970

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an earth scooping structure designed primarily for use in connection with the building of terraces, ditch banks, trenches and furrows, but it is to be understood that the structure, in accordance with this invention, is for employment for any purpose for which it may be found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an earth scooping structure for attachment to a traction-means theref'or and including a scooping unit, so constructed whereby on the travel thereof the earth will be continuously scooped up and conducted upwardly on and continuously discharged in a rear direci tion from over the top of said unit into a receiving or conveying off means adapted to be disposed at the rear of the structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an earth scooping structure for connection to a tractionmeans therefor and capable of being angularly adjusted relative to said means for regulating the depth of operation of the scooping unit of the structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an earth scooping structure for the purpose referred to and including an angularly disposed scooping unit, la carrier for the latter and means whereby the angle of inclination of said unit may be varied with respect to the carrier.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an earth scooping structure for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, adjustable, conveniently attachedto a traction-means therefor, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be more specifically described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed. This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 149,969,f1led June 23, 1937.

In the drawings:

.Figure `l is a top plan view of the scooping structure coupled with a traction-means therefor.

Figure 2 is a side elevation,

Figure 3 is an elevation looking towards its forward end,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5, Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section view of the scooping unit of the structure,

Figures '7, 8, and 9 are respectively sections on the lines 1 1, 8 8, and 9 9, Figure 6, and

Figures l and ll are plan views of the blanks from which the scoopi-ng element is formed.

The scooping structure is to be arranged rearwardly of and connected with the back of a tractor (not shown), as well as disposed relative to and for discharging the earth scooped up thereby into a receiver or conveying oif means (not shown) supported from and bodily carried with the tractor.

The tractor is to be provided at its rear with a coupling bar or rod which acts to attach the structure to the tractor whereby on the travel o f the latter, the structure will be pulled through and scoop up the earth. The bar or rod referred to is indicated at I2, Figure 1 and is of circular cross section.

The structure is generally indicated at I3 and it includes a connecting unit I4, a carrier or beam unit I and a scooping unit I6. The units L4 and I5 are disposed in substantially horizontal relation with respect to the rear of the tractor. The unit I6 is angularly disposed with respect to the rear end of unit I5. The unit I5 is an-1 chored stationary to the unit I4. The unit I6 is adjustably secured to the unit I5. The unit I4 coacts with the bar I2 for pivotally connecting the forward end of the structure I3 with the rear end of the tractor.

The unit I4 includes a pair of spaced endwise aligned sleeves Il, I8 which are integral at their rear sides with the Widest end of a rearwardly disposed apertured reinforced extension I9 of substantially triangular form provided at the top edge of its side with a pair of spaced aligned upstanding apertured lugs 2l and at the bottom edge lof said side 20 with a pair of spaced aligned depending apertured lugs 22. The unit I4 includes a substantially rectangular clamping plate 24 disposed on one of its lengthwise edges and has its inner side face aligning in spaced relation with the side 20 of extension I9. The plate 24 at each of the ends of its top edge 25 is formed with an upstanding aperture lug 26, and at c ach of the ends of its bottom edge 21 is formed with a depending apertured lug 28. The lugs .2.6 align with the lugs 2l. The lugs 28 align with the lugs 22. 'Ihe edges 25 and 21 of plate 24 rearwardly of and immediately adjacent the forward lugs 26, 28 are formed with inwardly extending superposed parallel ears 29, 30 respectively. The unit I4 includes a pair of superposed forward clamping devices 3 I, 32 and a pair of superposed rear clamping devices 33, 34. The sleeves of the unit I4 are revolubly mounted on the bar i2 whereby unit I4 is pivotally connected with the tractor.

When the unit I5 is in anchored relation with respect to the unit I4, the forward end terminal portion of unit I5 is arranged between the side 2U of extension I9 and the plate 24, extends between the ears 29, 3B and is anchored to extension I9 by the coaction of the clamping devices with the plate 24 and side 20 of extension I9 when said devices are made active.

'I'he clamping device 3I coacts with the forward lugs 2|, 26, the device 32 coacts with the forward lugs 22, 28, the device 33 coacts with the rear lugs 2I, 26 and the device 34 coa-cts with the rear lugs 22, 8. The devices 3|, 33 are arranged over and the devices 32, 34 below unit I5. That portion of the side of extension I9 which is provided with the lugs 2I, 22 inclines slightly outwardly from front to rear. The forward end terminals portion of unit I5 tapers from rear to front.

When plate 24 is secured in position it is disposed at an opposite inclination to that portion of the side 29 of extension I9 formed with the lugs 2I, 22.

The carrier or beam unit I5 includes a pair of oppositely disposed spaced beams 35, 36 of like form and a spacer 3l disposed between the forward end terminal portions of the beams. Each beam consists of forward end stretch 36, a leading intermediate stretch 39, a following intermediate stretch 49 and a rear end Stretch 4I. The stretch 38 inclines outwardly from front to rear and includes a straight forward horizontal part and an upwardly inclined rear part. The stretch 39 extends upwardly and at an outward inclination from front to rear. The outward and upward inclinations of the stretch 39 is greater than that of the rear part of stretch 38. The stretch 40 is of curved contour and has its rear portion depending downwardly at an inward inclination from top to bottom. The stretch 4I depends from the lower end of stretch 4.9 at a forward inclination. The stretch 4I decreases in width from top to bottom. The stretches 38, 39 and 43 in cross section are of I-shaped contour. The stretch 4I in cross section is of rectangular contour. The stretch 38 merges into the forward end of the stretch 39. The latter merges into the upper end of stretch 49. Means to prevent the rear ends of the stretches 38 of the beams 35, 36 from spreading apart is indicated at 42. The rear end stretches 4I of beams 35, 36 are connected to the unit I6 by the holdfast devices 43, 43a and which act in connection with the means 42 to prevent the stretches 39, 49 and 4I of the beams 35, 36 from spreading apart.

The scooping unit I 6 includes a` scoop or shovel element 44 formed of an upper Section 45 and a lower section 46 which, at its upper end edge abuts the lower end edge of section 45. The element 44 in transverse and lengthwise sections is of concave-convex contour. The depth and width of the concavity is uniform from A to B and then increases from B to C. The section is formed of a lower part 4l of uniform width, an intermediate part 48 and an upper part 49 of uniform width. The part 48 gradually increases in width from part 41 to part 49. The latter is of greater width and of less length than part 41. The section 46 is formed of a pointed lower` part 59 and an upper part 5I of uniform width. The part 5| corresponds in width to that of part 4! of section 45. Secured to the back of the sections 45, 46 of element 44 is the base 52 of a depending inverted yoke-shaped member 53, having its sides indicated at 54, 55. The base 52 is of greater length than that of and extends from the forward ends of the sides 54, 55. The forward ends 56 of the said sides incline rearwardly from base 52 to the lower edges 5'I of said sides to provide the forward portions of the sides of pointed like form. The said sides gradually increase in width from the forward end to the rear end of the edges 51. The rear ends 58 of the sides incline rearwardly from the rear ends of edges 5l to the rear end of base 52. Each side of member 53 is formed with an opening 59 in proximity to its forward end and in proximity to the rear end with a set of spaced openings 65. The base 52 of member 53 is formed with spaced openings 6I which align with openings 62 formed in element 44. The openings 62 are of the countersink type. Holdfast devices 63 coact with the aligned openings 6I, 62 for anchoring element 44 and member 53 together, as well as connecting the sections of element 44 in abutting relation. The devices 63 are countersunk in the openings 62. The stretch 4I of beam 35 is positioned against the outer face of side 54 of member 53 and is secured to side 54 by a holdfast device 43 extending through the stretch and the opening 59 in such side. The stretch 4I of beam 35 is also secured to said side 54 by a holdfast device 43a extending through the stretch and a selecte-d opening 69 of the set of openings 65 in side 54. The stretch 4I of beam 36 is positioned against the outer face of side of member 53 and is secured to side 55 by a holdfast device 43 extending through the stretch and the opening 59 in side 55. The stretch 4i of the beam 35 is also secured to said side 55 by a holdfast device 43a extending through the stretch and a selected opening 6U of the set of openings 39 in side 55. The sets of openings 60 in connection with the holdfast devices 43a and when using the holdfast devices 43 as pivots for unit I6 provides for angularly adjusting the latter relative to unit I5 and for securing unit I6 in its adjusted position.

With reference to Figure 11 there is shown a pair of flat blanks 65, 66 from which the scoop or shovel element 44 is formed. The blanks are acted upon in a manner to provide them of concave-convex contour, or rather shaped to conform to that referred to with respect to element 44. rlhe blanks 65, 66 provide respectively the sections 45, 4Ey of element 44 and are formed with openings which constitute the openings 62 of element 44.

When the structure is pulled through the ground, the earth will be scooped up by the element 44 of the unit I6. The form of element 44 is such that it will confine thereon the earth as the latter is scooped up and convey it in an upward direction for discharge rearwardly from over the top thereof into a receiver or conveyor.

The earth scooping structure as described and illustrated has the following advantages: the curve of the scoop element and point of the latter are such that the ground is out with a shearing action instead of a pulling and tearing one; the curve of the scoop element allows a shearing cut and at the same time the dirt is raised a maximum height in a short distance, which reduces friction; the curved upper or follower section of the scoop element prevents loss of dirt over the sides; the curved cross section of the scoop element and the straight movement of the dirt upward and backward causes a uniform pressure of soil on the entire length of the mold board and because of this uniform pressure the plow will scour in any soil.

In building terraces it is desirable to cut a wide shallow furrow and in this connection the scoop element will work efciently running three inches deep or ten.

In soil of good tilth, the chain extending from the lever on the left side of the tractor to the beam on the scoop element is used to regulate the depth of the scoop element by holding it from going too deep, but in hard soil a steel rod or lever may be substituted for the chain, in which oase the weight of the tractor is used to push the scoop element into the ground.

What I claim is:

1. In a scooping structure, a connecting unit adapted to be pivotally attached to a tractor, a carrier unit including a pair of spaced oppositely disposed beams of like form anchored at their forward terminal portions to said connecting unit, and an upstanding scooping unit having a reduced rear part arranged between and a scooping part disposed forwardly of and angularly disposed with respect to the rear terminal portions of said beams, said beams and the rear part of the scooping unit having coacting means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the scooping part with respect to said beams and for anchoring the scooping unit in its adjusted position to said beams, the said rear part being arranged lengthwise of the rear face of said scooping part.

2. In a scooping structure, a connecting unit adapted to be pivotally attached to a tractor, a

carrier unit including a pair of spaced oppositely disposed beams of like form anchored at their forward terminal portions to said connecting unit, a scooping unit arranged between, connected to and angularly disposed with respect to the rear terminal portions of said beams, and said scooping unit including an upwardly extending scooping element of concave-convex contour in longitudinal and transverse sections inclining rearwardly from its lower to its upper end, said element having its upper portion of greater width and of greater depth than its remaining portion.

3. In a scooping structure, a connecting unit adapted to be pivotally attached to a tractor, a carrier unit including a pair of spaced oppositely disposed beams of like form anchored at their forward terminal portions to said connecting unit, a scooping unit arranged between, connected to and angularly disposed with respect to the rear terminal portions of said beams, said beams and scooping unit having coacting parts for adjusting the angle of inclination of the scooping unit with respect to said beams and for anchoring the scooping unit in its adjusted position, and said scooping unit including an upwardly extending scooping element of concave-convex contour in longitudinal and transverse sections inclining rearwardly from its lower to its upper end, said element having its upper portion of greater Width and of greater-depth than its remaining portion.

4. In a scooping structure, a connecting unit adapted to be pivotally connected to a tractor means, a carrier unit having its forward end terminal portion anchored to and within said connecting unit, said carrier unit including a pair of spaced oppositely outwardly disposed horizontal beams having forwardly directed rear end stretches, a scooping unit arranged between, connected to and angularly disposed with respect to said unit, said scooping unit including an upwardly disposed rearwardly inclined scoop element of concave-convex contour in longitudinal and transverse sections, having its upper end terminal portion of greater width and of greater depth than its remaining portion and its lower end terminal portion tapered.

5. In a scooping structure, an upstanding rearwardly inclined scoop including a body part of concavo-convex contour both in longitudinal and transverse section and an extension, said body part formed of a tapered lower end ground Working part, an intermediate part of uniform width and an upper end part of greater width and length than the intermediate part, said extension being disposed lengthwise of the rear face of said body part, a pair of scoop pulling elements for connection to a tractor, said elements being of like form, arranged in parallel spaced relation and oppositely disposed, each of said elements includinig a depending, inwardly extending and forwardly directed rear portion, said extension being arranged between and extended above the lower parts of said rear portions, and means for securing said extension to the lower parts of the said rear portions.

HUGH K. BICI-IWDIE. 

